AIADMK-BJP Post-Poll Spat Intensifies As Annamalai-EPS Exchange Heated Words

The ongoing verbal clash between AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami and TN BJP chief Annamalai has further intensified as they slam each other over the performance of their respective parties in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls.

"In 2014, the BJP contested with several allies. In Coimbatore, Honble Meghalaya Guv CP Radhakrishnan ran and got about 42,000 votes fewer than the ADMK candidate. In 2024, Annamalai represented BJP and lost by around 1,18,000 votes to DMK's candidate.

So, how can you claim that BJP has grown in the state? In 2014, the NDA alliance secured 18.8% of votes. Today, they have earned 18.28%. Overall, they have secured 0.52% fewer votes than before," a website quoted Edappadi Palaniswami as telling reporters at Coimbatore airport.

Responding to these claims, TN BJP chief Annamalai said, "The word traitor suits Edappadi Palaniswami. The PM made him sit next to him in Delhi. But here, for self-interest, because he felt the grass was greener on the other side, Edappadi Palaniswami jumped from this side to that. The people taught him a lesson – they lost the deposit in many seats. A party that was at number 1 or number 2 position, once a ruling party lost deposit; it is a Guinness record. Even though the party is good, the people have punished the leader who is not good during the 2024 Parliamentary elections."

Vote Percentage Row

Annamalai continued his criticism by highlighting AIADMK's performance in Coimbatore. He noted that despite gaining 13,000 votes and securing their deposit in Coimbatore against DMK's Ganapathy Rajkumar and ADMK's Singai Ramachandran, ADMK would have lost their deposit if they had received just 16.6 per cent of votes.

"Today he is talking heroically at Coimbatore airport to reporters," Annamalai remarked. "How can a party that just managed to secure a deposit speak against BJP? We have secured 24% more votes than you. Despite having six MLAs and three Assembly constituencies, they lost deposits in Singanallur and three out of six seats."

Allegations of Betrayal

Annamalai also accused Edappadi Palaniswami of betrayal for switching sides for personal gain. He said that while AIADMK was once a ruling party with significant influence, it has now suffered major losses under Palaniswami's leadership.

"Edappadi Palaniswami gave 134 poll promises for the Parliamentary polls," Annamalai added. "When will he fulfill them? He is now the LoP in the Assembly. We will fulfill our promises to Coimbatore people. How will he do that with no MP in Parliament? He should think before talking."

Leadership Criticism

Annamalai further criticized Edappadi Palaniswami's leadership by pointing out AIADMK's losses in recent elections including Erode by-election where Palaniswami claimed it as his bastion but still lost by several thousand votes.

"Why did he not let OPS contest?" Annamalai questioned. "He told me over the telephone that Erode was his native place and he would win by 1.5 lakh votes if OPS didn't contest."

In response to these remarks made by Edappadi against BJP’s growth in Tamil Nadu state politics, Annamalai concluded by condemning Palaniswami’s comments and urging him to reflect on his own party’s declining status before criticizing others.